In January of 2011 BC Rehab launched its new Community Partnerships Initiative (CPI). The focus of this pilot grant program was to provide funding to BC-based projects that will increase community accessibility and opportunities for people living with physical disabilities. The CPI was a competitive grant program that offered 5 grants of $10,000; the closing date for applications happened on May 13th, 2011.
Over sixty applications were submitted from across the province. Grant recipients were selected by a panel of BC Rehab staff, Board members and people with disabilities who have a strong understanding of accessibility issues. BC Rehab extends a special thank you to Heather McCain, Executive Director of Citizens for Accessible Neighbourhoods, and Jason Costa, a 2009 Gert Vorsteher Award recipient, who both acted as advisory members of the disability community. “All of us at BC Rehab believe in the importance of inclusive communities,” said Paul Richard, BC Rehab Board Chair. “Improving community-based access is an important part of how BC Rehab supports British Columbians living with physical disabilities.”
Recipients of CPI funding are listed below. In an upcoming edition of our newsletter we will provide more information on the awarded projects and how they have had a positive effect on the disability community in BC. 2011 CPI Recipients: 1. Agur Lake Camp Society – To provide an overhead tracking and transfer system in their first barrier-free cabin. Agur Lake Camp is located in Summerland, BC. 2. Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society – To create accessible seating at the well-used Waterwheel Park Bandshell in Chemainus, BC. 3. Friends of the Kelsey Centre Recreation Society – This project will construct a reinforced concrete ramp to access the basement of the Kelsey Recreation Centre where multiple community programs are facilitated. 4. Nelson & District Women’s Centre – Project includes multiple accessibility renovations to serve clients with disabilities at the longest-running rural women’s centre in Canada. 5. Thompson Community Association – Funding for a year’s worth of programming to run an adaptive recreation and personal training program for people with disabilities in the community of Richmond.
Guidelines for this award program are posted below for your reference.
Guidelines for the BC Rehab Accessibility Fund.pdf